Ear protector



Nov. 6, 1951 EZ 2,573,923

' I EAR PROTECTOR Filed April 7, 1950 Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca EAR PROTECTOR David Mezz, New York, N. Y. Application April 7, 1950, Serial No. 154,490

This invention relates to ear protectors or inserts adapted for placement in the ears to protect the wearer against the entry of water while bathing or swimming or from disturbing noises or sounds.

Prior to the present invention, ear protectors or inserts of the general character of that to which the,present invention relates, were made in one or more sizes for selection and use to fit various sizes of ear passages. This often resulted in the selection of ear protectors of improper size which, in the case of a too large choice, resulted in discomfort, and in the case of a size too small resulted in poor fit, in failure to properly protect the ear or in the protector failing to remain in place and falling out of the ear.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a protector or ear insert which can be effectively, safely and comfortably fitted in ear passages of various sizes; which will afford a maximum of protection andwhich can be readily inserted and removed and worn with comfort and security while fitted in place.

With this and other objects to be hereinafter disclosed in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts set forth below and pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an ear protector or insert constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the protector, and Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the protector.

The protector disclosed in the drawing, consists of a plug-like member, preferably composed.

of soft rubber or of plastic or some material of equivalent characteristics. In the form shown it is substantially of frustro-conical form, having the shank portion I formed at its smaller end with a rounded or domed termination 2. At its opposite or larger end, the shank I is provided with a disk or flange 3 which is preferably formed integrally with the shank I, and is formed with a central raised projection 4 constituting a finger-piece by which the protector may be inserted in the ear and rotated to its properly fitted position, or removed when desired. This projection or finger-piece 4 may also be an integral part of the shank or body of the insert.

Provided on the shank l is a continuous spirally or helically-arranged ridge or bead, shown at 5, and similar in form and operation to a screwthread. However, as noted in Figs. 1 and 2, this ridge or bead 5 is smoothly rounded and is integrally formed on the shank I, and has no sharp edges or other formations likely to cause discomfort when inserting, wearing and removing the protector.

The protector may be composed of soft molded rubber or other material as herein mentioned, and to secure sufiicient stiffness and body, an insert 2 Claims. (01. 128-451) 6 of hard rubber, metal or other material may, if necessary, be embedded in the protector.

In using the protector, the same is inserted into the ear passage and is rotated screw-fashion until comfortably snug and secure in the ear. The formation of the spiral ridge or bead 5 results in the production of the spiral track 1 between the convolutions of the ridge and which enables the plug to move into the ear when rotated to the extent required. The conical formation of the shank of the protector makes the same universal for all sizes of ear passage so that the proper placement and seating of the protector within the ear merely requires a rotative movement of the protector until the protector is comfortably snug and will retain its position in the ear passage and shut out noise or prevent the entry of water.

Having described one embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. An ear protector for the prevention of entry insertion in the ear passage, said plug being provided with a conical shank formed at its smaller end with a smoothly-rounded tip, said shank having a continuous spiral ridge, the convolutions thereof being spaced apart to define a continuous spiral groove between them, said ridge being smoothly rounded and formed without flat surfaces or sharp edges, the shank being provided at its larger end with a disk-shaped head, said head having a projecting finger-piece by means of which the plug is inserted in or removed from the ear.

DAVID MEZZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,427,664 Dunbar Sept. 23, 1947 2,437,381 Cullen Mar. 9, 1948 2,487,038 Baum Nov. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 103,864 Great Britain of 1917 344,525 Germany of 1921 465,891 Germany of 1928 

